Sport Management

Student Showcase

• Grad of Note - Kassidy Egan

  

  Why did you choose to attend Tompkins Cortland?

  I chose to attend TC3 because it was close to home and the tuition was affordable. I attended another school before here, and it was too expensive. Coming here was the best financial decision anyone including myself could make

  Who at TC3 had the greatest positive impact on your experience?

  I had two very important people help me throughout my time here: Rich Echevarria and Janita Moricette. Janita helped me find my voice in being a woman in the sports field. She taught me to never give up when people doubted my potential. She constantly motivated me to speak out about women in sports and how important it is. 
  Lastly, I own my successful opportunities to Rich! If it was not for him setting up opportunities in the field, I would not have the knowledge I do now. I could always count on him to help me build my skills in the sports field.

  What were your extracurricular involvements at and how did they contribute to your college experience/future aspirations?

  I was involved in playing volleyball, where I met the most amazing people and coach! Coach O helped me grow as a player and as a person. He always knew what to say and was always available to help.  Also, I worked in Admissions as an Admissions Ambassador and tour guide. Lastly, I participated in the Sport Management club. Here I had two very amazing experiences: The NYC Marathon and the Spartan Race. Both gave me a better look at the world of sports. 

  What are your next steps after graduation (employment, transfer, etc.), and how did the College prepare you for that?

  After graduation, I will be attending SUNY Cortland to finish my bachelor’s degree in Sport Management. In addition, I will still be working at Wegmans. It will mark my one-year anniversary working here this May. Attending TC3, The NYC Marathon trip really helped me because we were paired with SUNY Cortland students and staff. I got to meet some students and connect with my future professors.

• Ben Kalweit

  

  Ben Kalweit is an Auburn, NY, native and December 2008 graduate of the Sport Management program. Ben chose Tompkins Cortland for its proximity to home and also for its residential campus. Living on campus, he got his first taste of independence while staying close to home and playing golf for a season while also pursuing his main passion: soccer. After graduating from Tompkins Cortland with honors, Ben transferred to neighboring SUNY Cortland to complete a B.A. in Management. He is now a Retail Marketing Coordinator for Titleist, the iconic American golf brand based in Fairhaven, MA. In his spare time, Ben continues to apply his passion for sports and peak physical performance - completing his first 100-mile ultra-marathon in 2019 where his 23hr, 4 min time won him a 9th place overall finish.

  Why did you choose to attend Tompkins Cortland?

  I chose to attend Tompkins Cortland for a multitude of reasons. These included location, academic programs, affordable tuition costs, and athletic opportunity. As someone who grew up not 45 minutes from campus, the opportunity to gain some independence while also still being near family was a significant factor. Also weighing heavily into the decision process was the fact that so many credits transferred in-state, which proved very fiscally sound.

  How did Tompkins Cortland prepare you for what came next (transfer/career)?

  Transferring to a four-year program was always the plan. The ability to work through the general education requirements and experience college-level classes at a small size proved very beneficial. As I had an environment to learn about how to manage my time, navigate college-level courses, and how I learned best, it truly carried through and made my transition at the four-year program very smooth.

  What is your current position, and how do you draw on your Tompkins Cortland coursework in your job?

  My current role is Retail Marketing Coordinator for Titleist. At a job within the sporting industry, my classwork in finance, marketing, sport management, and communications all have contributed. There are many lessons and skills that I utilize to this day that were cultivated long ago on campus.

  Who at TC3 had the greatest positive impact on your experience or your future?

  That is a difficult question. There were so many, but one who stands out above the rest is Robert Rice. He as the assistant soccer coach at the time and proved a great mentor who quickly became a voice of council. That transitional time integrating into school can be difficult, but to find someone who can level with you, build your confidence, give constructive criticism, and help guide you was so very instrumental in my development as a person.

  What were your extracurricular involvements at Tompkins Cortland and how did they contribute to your college experience/future aspirations?

  Soccer was my primary extracurricular activity, but I had also been a part of the men's golf team for one season as well. This athletic experience defined a significant role in my time while there. It provided a family environment, rewarding experiences, friends to this day, and fond memories I still cherish today.

• Derek Bocanegra

  

  During a time when options were limited and his future bleak, Derek made the decision to attend Tompkins Cortland Community College. With a gentle nudge from his Mom, he enrolled in the Sport Management program. Derek always dreamed of working for the Yankees, but never knew exactly how to order his steps to do so. Having been denied the privilege to walk across the stage for his high school Diploma, Derek has since walked across the stage of Tompkins Cortland to receive his B.A. in Sport Management. His one decision to step outside his comfort zone and attend Tompkins Cortland was the first of many steps in the right direction to achieving his dreams.

  Why did you choose to attend Tompkins Cortland?

  To be completely transparent, I didn't really have a lot of choices coming out of high school. I didn't have the best grades to say the least. I was getting into a lot of trouble and I never even bothered to take the SAT. It's not like I wasn't a smart kid, I just wasn't focused on school at that time, but all of that changed once I got to Tompkins Cortland. About a month after graduating high school, I was hanging out with my friend Cedric and he was telling me about this school upstate that he hear about from someone else. I decide to tell my mom about it and she ran over to the computer and quickly started doing some research on the different programs that Tompkins Cortland offered. She found one for Sport Management and she said, "I think you would like this one". So a few weeks later, my mom and I ended up driving three hours upstate to the middle of nowhere to take the placement test and the rest is history.

  How did your college experience at Tompkins Cortland prepare you for what came next (career and/or transfer)?

  I tell people all the time, the greatest decision I ever made was going to Tompkins Cortland. It changed my life forever. I was heading down the wrong path but once I got to Tompkins Cortland, I knew I had to make a change. It wasn't the same anymore, I was on my own now. No one was forcing me to go to class, it was my own decision to wake up every morning and hop on that bus everyday (at least until I saved up for a car). It forced me to grow up. I had to start grocery shopping, cooking for myself and doing my own laundry. I couldn't depend on mom and dad to do everything for me anymore.

  I started working part time at the local hospital delivering food trays to patients. It worked out perfectly with my schedule. I would go to class in the morning, come home in the afternoon and work until 8 p.m. every night. Whenever I wasn't at work or at school, I was in the gym or playing ball with m friends. I always kept myself busy which is why I think it helped me learn how to prioritize my time wisely and made me more focused on what I needed to do.

  What is your current position and how do you draw on your Tompkins Cortland coursework in your job?

  I'm currently working in season ticket sales for the NY Yankees. I've been here for about a year and a half now. Before the Yankees I was working for the Brooklyn Nets for almost three years. 

  I learned a lot during my time at Tompkins Cortland, in and out of the classroom, that I still apply towards my career and everyday life. The biggest thing I learned was how to step out of my comfort zone. Moving three hours away from my family and friends was tough and I had to learn to do things on my own. I was never the type of person to go out of my way to talk to people. You have to be able to relate to people and make a connection with them. Tompkins Cortland definitely set the foundation for me to step out of my comfort zone and build confidence within myself.

  Who at Tompkins Cortland had the greatest positive impact on your experience or your future?

  I had a lot of really great professors at Tompkins Cortland but the one person who had the greatest impact on me was Professor Chase. He was always there for me when I needed it and still genuinely cares about me to this day. I remember when I used to go into his office to make my schedule for the following semester and I would always get distracted with all of the Yankee memorabilia in his office. We would just talk about baseball or what my plans were for the summer when I went back home.

  When he selected me for the Sport Management Award, i couldn't believe it. I was like "WHO?" "ME?!". My parents came up for the award ceremony and they couldn't be more proud of their son. You should of saw the look on their faces. I wasn't allowed to walk at my High School graduation so this was a big deal to them and Professor Chase made that happen. Professor Chase saw something in me that I don't even think I saw in myself at the time. He always believed in me and made me feel like I could do anything I put my mind to. I always told him my dream was to work for the Yankees and now I'm living my dream. 

  Any advice for current/future students at Tompkins Cortland?

  One thing I would advise current/future students is to make as many connections as possible. I never realized while I was in school how important it is to have relationships with people once you get into the real world. It literally is all about who you know and who knows you.

  Don't be afraid to be yourself. Join clubs, make friends, talk to your professors and ask for help. Try to be a sponge and learn as much as you can. Don't take time for granted because time flies. Next thing you know, you'll be graduating from school looking for a job and it's the people you're closest to that can help you along the way.

  Write down your goals and make a plan to achieve them. Try not to get discouraged when things are not going well. Don't lose sight  of your dreams even when they seem unattainable because it's never impossible.

  I'm a living testament, if I can do it, so can you!

• Fletcher Reese

  

  Fletcher Reese graduated from Tompkins Cortland with an A.S. in Sport Management in the fall of 2016. A native of Seneca Falls, Fletcher initially attend SUNY Geneseo as a Chemistry major. After deciding to transfer to Tompkins Cortland, Fletcher utilized the transfer as a time to step back, start over, and re-evaluate. During that time, Fletcher wasn’t sure if college was right for him but the Tompkins Cortland community helped him get back on track with both his academics and his confidence. After receiving his A.S. from Tompkins Cortland, Fletcher transferred to Seton Hall and graduated with his B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in Sport Management in the fall of 2018.

  Why did you choose to attend Tompkins Cortland?

  I chose Tompkins Cortland after transferring from SUNY Geneseo after my freshman year. I decided to switch out of Chemistry to follow my dream of working in sports. Tompkins Cortland was close to home, had a traditional college feel with on-campus dorms, and a Sport Management program that worked hand-in-hand with SUNY Cortland. Even though I later decided to attend Seton Hall instead, Tompkins Cortland was the perfect decision that led me to where I am today.

  How did your college experience at Tompkins Cortland prepare for what came next (career and/or transfer)?

  Tompkins Cortland, with the help from Larry Chase and Lucy Yang, helped me become a leader in the Sport Management Club. The club provided great experience to my career by working with local teams to schedule walk-throughs and tours of various facilities. The club also helped volunteer for the New York City Marathon each year. I also worked Game Day promotions for the Auburn Doubledays Single-A Baseball team and as an assistant intern to the Sports Director for the Skaneateles YMCA.

  What is your current position and how do you draw on your Tompkins Cortland coursework in your job?

  I currently work in the Inside Sales Department for the New York Yankees Front Office. I wouldn’t be here without the help from Tompkins Cortland and the guidance I received from Larry and Lucy. The community at Tompkins Cortland helped me realize my true passion in sports and that passion is what I draw from every day in the Bronx.

  Who at Tompkins Cortland had the greatest impact on your experience or your future?

  I can’t thank Larry and Lucy enough for everything that they did during my young college career. They each knew my dreams from day one and helped guide me on my decision to Seton Hall.

  Any advice for current/future students at Tompkins Cortland?

  When you know what you want, tell everyone. You never know who is going to have a connection to help you move forward. People love helping others be successful. Ever since I realized my dream of working in sports, I told everyone. I knew that I wanted to work in the professional atmosphere I’m in today since day one. Follow your dreams and everything will fall into place.